Published in Hopeful Headlines, October 6, 2016

For many children in this country, opportunity is few and far between.

Their voices are rarely heard, their personal struggles are passed over, and the adults in their lives make all of the decisions—and lack thereof—for them.

Fortunately, one Washington, D.C. nonprofit has been changing the script for thousands of kids from communities that are often overlooked. Primarily, these students are considered “low-income,” with 77% qualifying for the statewide free and reduced-price lunch program and 20% speaking English as their second language.